ClubShorts 26 March 2013

Team CTC at an event near you; Event registration 2013; CTC at your service; RideLondon - be part of it; CTC Cymru get people active; Free publicity; Welsh Volunteer of the Year Awards; CTC Networking event.

I hope the severe weather has not put too many of you off cycling or cancelled too many events. Let's hope spring will be sprung by the time the next ClubShorts comes out in May! Don't forget to let me have your news and stories to put in it. Happy Easter to you all. Julie Rand, Member Group Coordinator

Follow Team orders

Team CTC, the women’s elite road racing team co-sponsored by CTC, has started to compete in a series of races and events throughout the country. The team is hoping to meet as many CTC members as possible and would be delighted if your group or club would come along to say ‘hello’. This could be the perfect excuse – if you needed one! – to organise a ride. Most events are now listed in the team’s calendar, although they could be subject to change. Unfortunately, due to their busy race schedule and work commitments, members of the team will be unable to attend CTC Member Group events; however, they will be at the York Cycle Show, the Tweed Run in London and the Orbital Festival, as well as other national events where possible.

Event registration 2013

Thanks to all of those groups and clubs that have sent in Event Registration forms for 2013. Unfortunately, due to Bob Kynaston’s sad death in January, some forms that were sent to him may have gone missing so if you cannot find your event listed, or you notice any mistakes, let me know. Note that the Event Registration form has recently been changed to include: information about risk assessments; events for more than 200 riders; and to let us know if it is a completely new event for 2013. The CTC Tourist Competition is currently being administered by Mark Slater at National Office but we hope that a volunteer will step forward to take on the task in the near future. If you know of someone who may be interested, contact Mark.

CTC at your service

There are several CTC services for cyclists throughout the year, including: the Cyclists’ Memorial at Meriden; the Coxwold church service in May; and the service for cyclists at York Minster in June. Another one to add to the roster is at Castle Combe in the Cotswolds. Held every year since 27 May 1945, the service is both a celebration of cycling and a service of thanksgiving for the men in cycling battalions who fell in the Great War; it also for the many cyclist soldiers, commandos and paras who did not return from World War Two. This year’s service will be held at St Andrews Church on Sunday 14 April at 2:30pm and is followed by tea and cake. Cycle Bristol CTC has two organised rides to the event.

RideLondon - be part of it

Prudential RideLondon on 3-4 August 2013 will be the largest mass-participation cycling festival ever held in the UK, with over 70,000 cyclists due to take part in four separate events. It is expected to give a major boost to the number of active cyclists in the UK, whilst attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to London and Surrey. CTC is looking for volunteer marshals for the Prudential London-Surrey 100 and Classic rides on Sunday 4 August so if you want to be part of this iconic event, get in touch.

CTC Cymru gets people active

CTC members in North Wales have been thanked for their involvement in an active travel project for North West Housing, a local housing association. CTC members Roy Spilsbury, John Holiday and Bob Birch helped launch the initiative to encourage employees to bike to work, with a spin-off message to tenants of the benefits of cycling for everyday journeys. Writing to Roy, of CTC Cymru, Richard Snaith said: “The day as a whole was a great success. Your comment that a group ride is an excellent way of promoting cycling is very true.”

Trumpet the volunteers

Perhaps those who helped with the North West Housing initiative will end up amongst the nominees for the Welsh Volunteer of the Year Awards. Nominations close on 12 April and there are categories for: Adult; Young Person; Green Volunteer; Trustee; and Group. So get nominating if you think you know a person or group who deserves recognition. Note these are separate to CTC's own Volunteer of the Year awards.

Get free publicity

CTC has a range of materials available to send out to CTC Member Groups to help them publicise their events and activities. These range from a table banner (limited number available) to membership leaflets; frame and mudguard stickers; Cycletopia brochures; and so on. To order these materials, please contact me with approximate number required. We also have CTC logo files if you wish to add them to your website or club jerseys etc.

Let's meet up

There’s still time to sign up for the CTC networking event before this year’s AGM in May. There are now five workshops to choose from and they will cover issues such as: Insurance; Safeguarding Young People and Vulnerable Adults; The Role of the Welfare Officer; and Promoting Your Rides, You can also find out about Campaigning at a Local Level. Places are limited for what is sure to be a popular event, so book your place by contacting Sue Cherry on 01483 238302 with your name, address and contact details. The event is only open to CTC members, Member Groups and affiliated clubs.

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